I head to the back of the room, where gym equipment is spread out, and start with my warm-ups. My next class is a group of fourth-year attendees who can actually fight, which is good because it’s fun sparring with them.
While I’m jogging on the treadmill, my thoughts turn to work. There’s a meeting with prospective diamond sellers in Congo I’m worried about. I hate meeting with new sellers. Most of the time, it doesn’t end well for one of the parties.
With Inna being a mother, I wish I could make her stay at home and let me handle the dangerous meetings, but I know that won’t easily happen. My sister is just as involved in the family business as I am. With her being my second in charge, there’s no way I can keep her away from the dangers of our world.
It’s one of the reasons the mafia princesses and socialites get on my nerves. My sister is as badass as my mother, and it’s set the bar high for any romantic interests that might come into my life.
Yeah, I’ll never marry. My dream woman is just that – a dream.
Abigail Sartori’s face pops into my mind. The woman has the softest brown eyes I’ve ever seen. It’s as if every emotion she feels trembles in her irises.
And her body. Fuck, her body. She’s not skinny but has healthy curves that will make any man’s hands itch to touch.
Then there’s her straightforward bravado. I have to give her credit for that. She’s definitely not just sitting on the sidelines while waiting for whatever marriage her parents will arrange for her.
Slamming the stop button on the treadmill, I step off as I shake my head hard to get the unwelcome thoughts out of my mind.
Just then, the fourth-year attendees start to arrive, and I instantly notice the grim expressions on the three bratva trainees' faces.
Misha looks like he could murder someone, and Alek gives me the impression he just killed some poor fucker. Armani, the level-headed one between the three, lets out a sigh, shaking his head at his friends.
The two yakuza men and the Albanian sex trafficker enter the room. Knowing how volatile the group is, I’m relieved to see Misha and his friends didn’t kill one of the yakuza soldiers.
They probably ran into the mafia princesses.
Locking eyes with the bratva enforcers, I say, “I take it you saw Sartori and D’Angelo?”
Misha nods, the expression on his face darkening.
Abigail and Aurora’s fathers were responsible for a bombing two years ago when they tried to kill Misha and his friends. Since then, things have been gravely strained between the bratva and the women’s fathers.
“Stay away from those women,” I warn them. My cousin will lose his shit if his three men try to take out the enemy’s daughters on St. Monarch’s grounds. “Focus on your training.”
“Yes, sir,” Armani answers.
Knowing Alek is the most unpredictable one, I say, “Alek, you’re with me.” I pair up the rest of the men, then order, “Fight until there’s a knock-out.”
Chapter 2
Abbie
I spent last night at Aurora’s suite because she needed comfort after the crazy first day at St. Monarch’s. While she gets ready, I head back to my own suite to do the same.
I’ve known Aurora all my life. We attended a boarding school in Austria where we shared a room, so she’s more than my best friend. She’s my sister, my soulmate, the yin to my yang.
Yesterday she came face to face with Misha Petrov, who seems to be the love of her life. Yeah, color me surprised. My best friend, soul-sister, and twinsie has been in love for two years.
Twenty-four months, and I never knew!
After the volatile encounter, she spilled the beans about her feelings for the guy. It stings a little that she never told me he was her first kiss, but she’s always been on the shy side, unlike me, who has no filter.
But I mean, come on. Out of all the men in the world, my friend had to fall for a bratva enforcer?
Honestly, I’m worried there might not be a happy ending for her first love.
Walking into my suite, I still have to unpack and grab the nearest bag that holds all my painting supplies. My parents like to refer to my love of painting as a ‘time-waisting hobby,’ but it’s my passion. I wish they’d understand that.
I don’t want to take over the family business, but my father doesn’t want to hear anything about what I want.
Instead, he’s sent me to this place – St. Monarch’s, a castle that’s been converted into a five-star resort and training center for elite criminals and mafia families. As long as you have enough money to afford St. Monarch’s, you’re welcome.
I’m looking forward to all the pampering but not the training.
At least I get to see Aurora every day.
Two years ago, we snuck out of my house to go to a nightclub. It’s where she met Misha, and it was apparently love at first sight. Little did I know there would be a bombing. My father lost his shit, and I was practically locked up for the past two years. Not because he loves me but because he doesn’t want his enemies to get the upper hand by killing his only child.
Even if I don’t like the idea of training to take over the family business, I’m super happy to be at St. Monarch’s with Aurora. At least I don’t have to watch my mother drink herself to death while my father greedily looks for any way to make money. Honestly, I’m surprised he hasn’t sold me off to the highest bidder.
I’m just worried about my friend, seeing as Misha was as cold as ice toward her. Part of me wants to encourage her to go after the man she wants, but the other part wants to protect her from the potential heartache.
It’s not my place to tell Aurora what to do, though. I can only give her advice and support whatever decision she makes.
Hmm…where should I set up my easel?
I glance around the luxurious suite and decide the massive floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room area would be best. During the day, it will be easy to carry everything out on the balcony, where I’ll have a perfect view of the gardens.
Clearing the decanter filled with whiskey and matching crystal glasses from the glass liquor table, I arrange all my brushes and oil paints on it. I set up my easel with a blank canvas, a smile spreading over my face as excitement rushes through my chest to capture the beauty of St. Monarch’s gardens on canvas.
This place is truly exquisite, the grounds looking like something from a fairytale. We didn’t have much time to explore yesterday because we ran into the bratva enforcers who want us dead.
I’m well aware of the fact that our families have enemies all over the world, but I wasn’t prepared for such a hostile welcome.
I’m not going to lie. Yesterday was information overload for me. The encounter with the bratva enforcers. Discovering my friend is secretly in love with one of them. Meeting Nikolai Vetrov.
Nikolai Vetrov.
Yum.
The man is six feet-something, hot as hell, and just so freaking manly he has my ovaries dancing the rumba at the mere sight of him.
Walking back to the bedroom, I pull another bag closer and unpack some of my clothes.
Nikolai Vetrov. The blood diamond king and cousin to the head of the bratva. Jesus, he’s as powerful as they come.
I wonder why he’s teaching combat training here when he has a massive diamond empire to run.